Samarkand Chickpea Stew Granted Official Status

The Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Uzbekistan has officially granted the status of a geographical indication to the famous "Samarkand chickpea soup," which is among the national dishes. This was reported by Upl.uz.

This status has been registered in the state register of intellectual property objects and was announced by the press service of the Samarkand regional administration. The registration document was ceremoniously presented to Adiz Boboev, acting governor of the region.

The geographical indication status legally confirms that the product's unique natural conditions and traditional preparation methods are linked. Since Samarkand chickpea soup originates specifically from the Samarkand region, it has a distinctive taste and quality, which are the main factors of its popularity and reputation.

This status protects producers from the illegal use of the name and permits only products prepared according to traditional methods to bear this name. This step not only serves to preserve the national cultural and culinary heritage but also helps strengthen the Samarkand brand in domestic and international markets.

Additionally, the geographical indication status promotes the development of gastronomic tourism, protects the interests of local chefs and entrepreneurs, and increases the product's commercial value. Traditional Samarkand chickpea soup is cooked in an iron cauldron over low heat for 8-12 hours, often overnight.

This long and slow cooking process creates the soup's and chickpeas' unique flavor and texture, which cannot be replicated by quick preparation methods. For this reason, Samarkand chickpea soup holds a special place among national dishes due to its unique taste.